As a result of these state agencies, and the emphasis of the federal government on water quality, we enjoy much safer water systems than Utah's early settlers. However, due to the magnitude of growth and development that is projected to occur and the increase in water pollution that this growth will bring, Utahns will continue to face water quality challenges. Water resource planners and managers need to be increasingly aware of these problems and work closely together to satisfy future water quality needs.

Water Quality Concerns in Utah

Some of the water quality concerns that are of particular importance to the future of Utah's water resources are discussed briefly below:

Total Maximum Daily Load Program

Section 303 of the Clean Water Act directs each state to establish water quality standards to protect beneficial uses of surface and ground water resources. The Act also requires states to monitor water quality to assess achievement of these standards. Where water quality is found to be impaired, each state must then establish a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for each pollutant that contributes to the impairment. A TMDL sets limits on pollution sources and outlines how these limits will be met through implementation of best available technologies for point sources and best management practices for nonpoint sources.¹

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible to assure that states comply with the Clean Water Act. Because of the complexity, controversy and cost of determining and implementing TMDLs, states have been hesitant to pursue aggressive programs. As a result, many states and the EPA are being sued by various activists for failure to comply with the law. Consequently, the EPA is becoming more aggressive with its TMDL program requirements. These requirements include the charge for states to provide some "reasonable assurance" of achievement as part of the TMDL. This and other changes will impact water resources activities in Utah. For example, changes to the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) will allow EPA to require certain dischargers causing significant water quality problems, who were previously unregulated, to obtain an NPDES permit. This is expected to impact certain concentrated animal feed-lot operations and aquatic animal production facilities.²

The Division of Water Quality is responsible to implement TMDL programs in Utah. In cooperation with state, federal and local stakeholders, the division is organizing and facilitating locally led watershed groups to establish TMDLs. Water managers and planners in Utah need to be familiar with water quality regulations, and actively participate in the development and implementation of TMDLs. This participation will help assure that the calculation of a TMDL includes an appropriate margin of safety that accommodates future development and growth.

	Flood plain development disturbs valuable riparian habitat, diminishing important water quality and flood prevention functions. (Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.)

Preservation and Restoration of Riparian and Flood Plain Corridors

Many riparian zones adjacent to Utah's streams and rivers have been severely impacted and construction has occurred in their corresponding flood plains. As urban growth expands, additional riparian and flood plain corridors are in jeopardy. Stream bank modification and channelization (often referred to as habitat modification) are the cause of many water quality impairments to Utah's streams. In 1998, the Division of Water Quality estimated that habitat modification was the cause of nearly 16 percent of Utah's stream water quality impairments.³ Riparian zones and flood plains need to be preserved and protected because they help improve water quality and buffer the population from flooding.

Storm Water Discharge Permitting

Discharge of storm water runoff from industrial and urban landscapes into streams and rivers is a significant point source of pollution. Runoff and erosion from construction sites is also a contributor to this problem.

To address this concern the EPA initiated a two phase process for implementation of storm water management regulations. During the first phase of the process, most industries, as well as cities with more than 100,000 people, were required to obtain storm water discharge permits. Construction activities that disturbed more than five acres were also required to obtain a permit in order to provide sediment and erosion control.

In November of 1999, the EPA began implementing the second phase of the storm water regulations, requiring all communities in the nation's "urbanized areas" to develop storm water management plans by early 2003. In Utah, these new regulations affect cities in Cache, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties, which, based on the 1990 census, the EPA has declared urban. The second phase regulations will also affect all construction sites larger than one acre.

The Utah Division of Water Quality is working closely with affected communities to help them comply. Although Park City, as well as the surrounding area, is not yet affected by the new regulations, it is believed that after the 2000 census this area will also be de clared urban and, therefore, be required to comply with the new regulations.

Nutrient Loading

Nutrient over-enrichment continues to be one of the leading causes of water quality impairment in the United States. Although these nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) are essential to the health of aquatic ecosystems, excessive nutrient loads can result in the growth of aquatic weeds and algae, leading to oxygen depletion, increased fish and macroinvertebrate mortality, and other water quality and habitat impairments.⁴

Nutrients enter waterways primarily through wastewater treatment plant effluent. Return flows from agriculture and runoff from heavily fertilized urban lawns and landscapes also contribute to total nutrient loading. Proper application of fertilizer on agricultural and urban landscapes and further treatment of wastewater effluent would be necessary to significantly reduce nutrient loads.

Concentrated Animal Feedlot Operations

Another concern receiving national and local attention is the impact animal feedlot operations (AFO) and concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFO) have on water quality. These operations, where large numbers of animals are grown for meat, milk or egg production, can increase the biological waste loads introduced into rivers, lakes, and surface or ground water reservoirs. Animal manure contains nutrients, pathogens and salts. Because of the water quality problems created by CAFOs and the relative lack of stringent regulations to control the majority of these operations, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently developed a joint national regulation strategy.

The Utah Division of Water Quality, working together with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, Dairy Association, Cattleman's Association, Woolgrowers, and representatives from the turkey, poultry and hog industries, prepared a Utah AFO and CAFO strategy that will satisfy the EPA's requirements. The Utah strategy has three primary goals: (1) to restore and protect the quality of our water for beneficial uses, (2) to maintain a viable and sustainable agricultural industry, and (3) to keep the decision making process on these issues at the state and local level.

Utah's strategy calls for a commodity-group assessment of all livestock operations. Following this assessment, a general permit will be issued covering all CAFOs with 1,000 animal units or more or smaller facilities with significant water pollution problems. The strategy provides a five-year window for facilities to make voluntary improvements. After this "grace" period, the initial focus of more stringent regulatory action will be directed toward those facilities located within priority watersheds with identified water quality problems.⁵

Septic Tank Densities

In many rural areas of Utah, where advanced wastewater treatment systems have not been constructed, individual septic tank systems are used to dispose of domestic wastes. As the population in such areas grows, the density of septic tanks typically increases. This threatens water quality by placing increasing demands on the environment's natural ability to dissipate the pollutants created.

Septic tank densities are of particular concern in the growing areas of Iron, Morgan, Summit, Wasatch, Washington and Weber counties. Septic tanks for summer home developments are also a concern in many other Utah counties, as they are commonly located in sensitive watershed areas. Unless alternative wastewater treatment systems are built, there may be restrictions placed on further development in these areas in the form of septic tank density regulations.

Water Quality Protection and Improvement Programs in Utah

Many state and federal programs are in place to improve the nation's and Utah's water quality. The Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES) closely regulates point sources of pollution. This system has brought about significant improvement to water quality over the past 30 years and continues to play a valuable role. The Division of Water Quality is currently preparing a Nonpoint Source Pollution Plan to better handle nonpoint sources of pollution, which are believed to be responsible for 95 percent of the state's remaining water quality impairments.⁶ The division will integrate this plan with the TMDL requirements using a watershed based approach. This approach seeks the participation and involvement of local stakeholders. The Utah Division of Drinking Water is responsible for protecting Utah's drinking water sources. To accomplish this task, the division has implemented a drinking water source protection program which provides valuable guidelines and rules to help communities protect their water sources. The award winning efforts of the Salt Lake Valley Groundwater Protection Coalition is one example of the early successes of this source protection program.

		The Salt Lake Valley Groundwater Protection Coalition Most of the cities in the Salt Lake Valley have banded together with water improvement and conservancy districts, other water utilities, and an engineering consultant to form the Salt Lake Valley Groundwater Protection Coalition. Following guidelines set by the Division of Drinking Water, the Coalition has established a comprehensive program aimed at protecting the ground water underlying the Salt Lake Valley, Utah's most densely populated area. This program includes a hydrologic model of the valley's ground water aquifer that is used to predict the movement of ground water and help pin-point sensitive recharge areas. The program also includes an effective public awareness campaign that educates citizens on the proper disposal of toxic chemicals and other pollutants. Furthermore, the program makes information available to developers, through city zoning commissions, on the best places to locate sensitive commercial ventures such as gas stations. This information helps cities avoid contamination of ground water often caused by such activities. The quality of the Coalition's program has received national attention. In 1997 it received the national grand award by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. The EPA's Region VII office recognized the coalition's program in 1998 with the Environmental Achievement Award for its outstanding achievement in drinking water source protection. The program was again honored in 1999 by the American Consulting Engineers Council, receiving one of only 16 national honor awards for ground water protection. The Coalition is pleased that its program has made a difference in the protection of Utah's water resources and hopes to expand and improve the program in the future. (From a personal communication with Brian Harris, Coalition team leader and staff member of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, June 21, 1999.)

In order to comply with an agreement between the United States and Mexico to control the salinity of Colorado River water, the federal government implemented the Colorado River Salinity Control Program. This program's aim is to decrease salinity in the Colorado River by improving agricultural water use efficiency and reducing deep percolation. This program has had tremendous success in Utah due to the willingness of local sponsors to participate. Utah encourages further funding and participation in this program.

Coordination and Cooperation:
Key to Effective Water Quality Management

Effective management of water quality requires significant coordination and cooperation. Water development or management activities that will impact water quality need to be properly coordinated with the appropriate agencies so that water quality impacts can be minimized or avoided. The public also needs to be integrated into the process so that its needs and concerns can be properly addressed.

The Division of Water Quality has recognized the importance of working together with all the stakeholders and has established a watershed-based approach to help fully achieve its water quality objectives. In 1996, the division produced a publication entitled, "Utah Watershed Approach Framework," outlining how the approach is to be implemented.